Richard Benyon has spoken of the importance in tackling rural crime at a Westminster Hall Debate, attended by the Minister of State for Policing and Criminal Justice, Damian Green MP.
In his speech, Richard outlined the important role played by Police and Crime Commissioners’ (PCC) in ensuring that rural crime is not ignored, and praised Thames Valley’s PCC, Anthony Stansfeld, who has ensured that rural crime is one of his three key priorities.
In the Thames Valley, rural crime has now been defined and has been reduced by 20 per cent. What is more, Thames Valley Police now attend every rural crime reported under the new definition.
Following the debate, Richard said “The message to government is that good things are being done by the police, Police and Crime Commissioners and local people to defeat rural crime. It is vital that everybody recognises that rural crime can have a huge impact on communities, individuals and businesses and we must ensure the pressure is kept up at every level.”
Text of the full debate can be found here, http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm140409/halltext/140409h0002.htm